OutstandingLife fosters "joy and independence" | |
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A Foundation grant is helping fund a new virtual platform designed for and by older LGBTQ+ people and allies. OutstandingLife offers online programming, resources and opportunities for connection—including Feel Good Fridays (wellness program), intergenerational social events, plus legal and history programs.
A need was identified in "LGBT Aging 2025: Strategies for Achieving a Healthy and Thriving LGBT Older Adult Community in Massachusetts," a Fenway Institute report. In numerous listening sessions across the state, author Sean Cahill, Ph.D., heard key themes of social isolation and lack of connection. The report cited a need for:
- social activities to create community and belonging
- targeted support groups and services
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online support groups—and access to technology (computers, tablets), internet and technical assistance for LGBTQ+ elders who are isolated and have low incomes
The new platform launched in late May, just in time for Pride Month. New programs and resources will be added to the platform in the coming months.
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Power in Aging Project welcomes new cohort
The Leadership Exchange on Ageism is part of the Maine Council on Aging's Power in Aging Project.
Launched in 2021, the effort is designed as a peer-centered learning experience and includes executive business, policy, and community leaders representing diverse sectors and geographies. The goal is to encourage leaders to see their role in ending ageism and connect them to tools to advance this work. By carrying anti-ageism messaging to their organizations and businesses, alumni can reduce ageism in our communities.
Caitlin Sullivan, one of the Foundation's program officers, and Foundation President Nora Moreno Cargie will be joining the group, which includes special guests from Vermont, Colorado and Oregon.
"As we move toward replicating the program in other states, we’re including people who can make that happen in their own states," said Jess Maurer, executive director, Maine Council on Aging.
The Leadership Exchange on Ageism is supported by Next50 Initiative, Maine Health Access Foundation and Point32Health Foundation.
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Grantee news: A time of growth and learning for food security initiatives
Community Servings will open a new satellite distribution center in Mansfield, Mass., this fall. The 23,000-square-foot facility will support a more effective packaging, shipping and delivery network, key to serving more clients with medically tailored meals. All meals will continue to be made in the Jamaica Plain kitchen. Meals for clients in southeastern Massachusetts, including across Cape Cod, and parts of Rhode Island, will be bagged, boxed and delivered from the new facility.
The Phoenix Food Hub continues to expand to serve Greater Lynn residents with nutritional and related health needs since opening in December. Programs include:
- Cooking demonstrations: led by UMass Extension Nutrition Education Program; use ingredients available from the food pantry; available in Spanish and English
- Monthly cooking classes for family caregivers: with Greater Lynn Senior Services Family Caregiver Support Program and the Lynn Council on Aging Senior Center; focused on using freshly prepared food as a tool in caring for another person and as a tool for self-care
- Nutrition counseling, navigation support and referrals: from partner health agencies as well as self-referrals; connecting people to information and programs that can help them live healthier lives
Rhode Island Food Policy Council was selected to join a Community of Learning and Practice facilitated by the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future. The two-year program provides food policy councils with training and a learning community to confront systemic injustice. Members recently met to share cultural and learning experiences, explore methods for power-sharing and centering values within structure, strategize policy solutions, and reflect on the history of power, race, and organizing, and its influence on systems. They will continue to leverage their new relationships and more holistic understanding of state-level efforts to build more equitable and resilient food systems.
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Age Friendly Rhode Island a champion for older people
The City of Newport and Edward King Senior Center recently honored Jim Connell, executive director of Age Friendly Rhode Island, with the Champion of Seniors Award at their annual volunteer recognition and awards ceremony.
The event celebrates "the 'us' who make our community strong." Jim was recognized for his "commitment to the seniors of Newport." The Foundation supports Age Friendly Rhode Island, a state backbone organization that brings together leaders committed to healthy aging.
The Edward King House Senior Center is a non-profit organization serving people 50+ in Newport County.
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Grantmakers of Color gathers to connect
Phillip González, director of community investments for the Foundation, attended Philanthropy Massachusetts’ Grantmakers of Color Summer Social this week.
The group gathers regularly to stay connected and continue learning from each other. A peer mentoring program offers emerging leaders of color tools to develop meaningful connections with experienced leaders and like-minded peers. Phillip serves as an advisor to the group.
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Colleagues rolled up their sleeves during Volunteer Week
Community organizations from Connecticut to Maine welcomed Point32Health colleagues last week. Volunteers sorted donated food and toiletries; built beds, picnic tables and compost bins; prepared medically tailored meals and garden plots; wrote notes of cheer and inspiration; and so much more!
Nearly 1,400 colleagues served #TogetherInCommunity at 70 projects—in-person and remote—across our five core states. Our volunteering supported nonprofit organizations addressing the social determinants of health.
Through activities that reduce food insecurity, improve the environment, support people experiencing homelessness, reduce social isolation and more, we had the opportunity to help create healthy, thriving communities and be connected as a company to those closest to the issues we care about.
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Daniel Apicella joins FriendshipWorks board | |
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Daniel Apicella, vice president, risk adjustment at Point32Health, has joined the board of FriendshipWorks.
Daniel, who recently participated in the United Way board training program sponsored by the Corporate Citizenship team, has an interest in aging, loneliness and mental health. Our team made the connection to FriendshipWorks' executive director.
“I am honored to join the board of FriendshipWorks, a non-profit organization working to address social isolation in the Boston area,” Daniel said. “At its core, human health is about wellbeing and the capacity to live a full life with deep connections to others. Even though we are more connected than ever through technology, social isolation is sadly on the rise and can increase health risks for older people. FriendshipWorks programs enhance quality of life by strengthening our human connections.”
FriendshipWorks has received grant support from the Foundation and is a member of the Massachusetts Healthy Aging Collaborative, a state backbone organization that brings together those working to makes communities better places to grow up and grow old.
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Supporting Canton neighbors
The Canton Food Pantry provides free food, personal care items and household products to eligible residents. Operated entirely by volunteers, the pantry is sponsored by the Canton Helpline.
Colleagues in the Commercial and Medicare Advantage Case Management departments collected non-perishable items at a meeting earlier this month. The teams delivered 17 bags of food to the Canton Food Pantry. Pictured are some of the colleagues who participated.
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YW Boston honors women achievers
Nora Moreno Cargie, president of Point32Health Foundation and vice president of corporate citizenship at Point32Health, was one of five distinguished women inducted into YW Boston's Academy of Women Achievers earlier this month.
Pictured below are the "bright, bold, brave and influential Boston women," from left: Lisa Fortenberry, executive vice president, Camp Harbor View; Natanja Craig-Oquendo, executive director, Boston Women’s Fund; Nora Moreno Cargie; Beth Chandler, president; YW Boston; Cristela Guerra, senior arts and culture reporter, WBUR; and Andrea Silbert, president, Eos Foundation.
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Point32Health Foundation in the news
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and advance healthier lives for everyone.
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